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Dasuki: Panel to Begin Hearing on Alleged Misconduct against Ex-AGF, Malami

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The Disciplinary Panel of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee is to open hearing on an allegation of professional misconduct filed against the immediate-past attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The hearing is scheduled to begin on June 14.

In an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, Malami told The PUNCH that he was aware of the panel’s scheduled hearing.

“I’m aware,” he said but did not respond to further inquiry about whether he had filed his defence and if he would be attending the hearing scheduled for Friday.

The LPPC panel’s hearing notice which was obtained by PRNigeria, an online news portal, was signed by the Secretary, the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioners’ Privilege Committee, Patricia Orhomuru.

The hearing notice was quoted to bear a reference No: PET/LPPC/23/2018 and dated May 16, 2019.

It read in part, “Take notice that the above matter is fixed for hearing by the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioner Privileged Committee of the Office of Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja on June 14, 2019 at 11.00 o’clock in the forenoon.”

The family of the detained former national security adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), had petitioned the LPDC, the Nigerian Bar Association and other bodies requesting that disciplinary action be taken against Malami for allegedly endorsing Dasuki’s continued detention.

The petition was in reaction to Malami’s  last year media comment suggesting that Dasuki, despite meeting the latest bail granted him by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 2, 2018, would not be released from the custody of the Department of State Service on the grounds of national security.

Copies of the petition were sent to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (the body that confers on, suspends and withdraws from lawyers the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria), and the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (the body saddled with disciplining lawyers for acts of misconduct).

The petitioners want Malami to be disciplined not just as a lawyer but also as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The petitions, dated July 23, 2018, were signed by Dasuki’s son, Abubakar Dasuki; the detainee’s wife, Hajia Bintu Sambo-Dasuki, and his nephew, Senator Umaru Dahiru.

The petition read in part, “This petition has been written in order for you to also investigate the propriety of the inflammatory contemptuous and libelous statement made by Abubakar Malami, not only as a lawyer, but also as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Attorney-General of the Federation.

“One begins to wonder whether Abubakar Malami (SAN) is fit to be a barrister and solicitor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, let alone a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Attorney-General of the Federation. While the whole world watches as our rule of law is being trodden upon, we are hopeful the imminent catastrophe can be avoided by your intervention.”

The petition has two titles, one of which accused Malami of making “unsalutary unprofessional statement” in respect of Dasuki’s bail.

It also accused him of denigrating the court, violating the Constitution and encouraging the continued breach of the fundamental human rights of Dasuki.

The second title states that the Federal Government of Nigeria had resolved “not to comply with any order of court admitting Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) to bail.”

The petition sought investigations into the statements credited to Malami.

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US Lawmaker Seeks More Airstrikes in Nigeria, Insists Christian Lives Matter

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United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.

Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.

The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.

“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.

He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.

According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.

Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.

The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.

Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.

Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.

U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.

Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.

Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.

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Renowned Boxer Anthony Joshua Survives Ghastly Road Accident

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World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.

Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.

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Atiku Warns Against Hasty Re‑gazetting of New Tax Laws

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.

Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.

In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”

He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.

“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.

Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”

The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.

“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.

The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.

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